Academic Comparison between UMass Amherst and BC

University of Massachusetts-Amherst and Boston College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UMass Amherst is a four-year, public school located in Amherst, MA and BC is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Chestnut Hill, MA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UMass Amherst is a public and BC is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • BC has more expensive tuition & fees ($70,702) than UMass Amherst ($40,449).
  • It is harder to admit to BC than UMass Amherst.
  • BC has a higher submitted SAT score (1,420) than UMass Amherst (1,420).
  • BC has higher submitted ACT score (32) than UMass Amherst (32).
  • UMass Amherst has more students with 31,726 students while BC has 15,432 students.
  • BC has a lower number of students per faculty with 10 to 1 while UMass Amherst's ratio is 17 to 1.
  • UMass Amherst has more full-time faculties with 1,458 faculties while BC has 893 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Massachusetts-Amherstvs.Boston College
Amherst, MassachusettsLocationChestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$17,772
Out-Of-State$40,449
2025 Tuition & Fees$70,702
73%% Receiving Financial Aid45%
$13,764Average Amount of Financial Aid$50,287
59.73 %Acceptance Rates16.43 %
17.95 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)43.46 %
1,420SAT Score1,500
32ACT Score34
83 %Graduation Rate91 %
-Transfer-out Rate7 %
92 %Retention Rate96 %
31,726Student Population15,432
1,458Number of Faculties893
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio10 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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